11 December headlines

Ed Davey calls for transparency on ‘risky’ fossil fuel investments

Britain’s energy secretary has called for tougher rules to be applies to companies holding “risky” fossil fuel assets that could plunge in value because of global action to tackle climate change. Financial Times.

Full scale of platic in the world’s oceans revealed for first time

More than five trillion pieces of plastic, collectively weighing nearly 269,000 tonnes, are floating in the world’s oceans, causing damage throughout the food chain, new research has found. Guardian.

UK poor will need help with energy bills, says CCC

Poor families in the UK will need more help to pay for heating their homes as energy bills rise. A report by the Committee on Climate Change said subsidies for clean energy will add an extra 36p per day onto household bills by 2030. BBC.

High Court: government must pay £6,300 to 41,000 former Northern Rock customers

More than 40,000 British borrowers are in line to get thousands of pounds in compensation after the High Court ruled against former bank Northern Rock in a test case over the wording in past loan documents. Telegraph.

El Nino conditions seen forming by Japan as Pacific warms

El Nino conditions appear to have formed and will probably continue over winter, according to forecaster in Japan, adding to signs that the event that can parch parts of Asia is returning. Bloomberg.